"Teacher, thank you for understanding my mind"

**Originally posted January 2014** More on teaching in Korea here**​For the last two years people have been telling me what a great teacher I am, "one of the best foreign teachers I've ever worked with", but I often wondered how sincere these words were. Now, as my time in Korea is coming to an all-too-soon end I'm realizing that most of those statements were, in fact, heartfelt and I am a good teacher.

I've always seen my connection and interactions with students from one side of the glass, but over the last few days, I've been able to get a glimpse of the other side. I'm somewhat shocked by the number of students who have reached out to express their feelings towards my departure. I came across this article last week, which discusses the real impact teachers have on students and it really hit home with me. For those of you that don't want to click and read, here is a great excerpt from the article:

​Your kindness. Your empathy. Your care and concern. They’ll remember that you took the time to listen. That you stopped to ask them how they were. How they really were. They’ll remember the personal stories you tell about your life: your home, your pets, your kids. They’ll remember your laugh. They’ll remember that you sat and talked with them while they ate their lunch.

**Originally written 3 years ago, I've now put in more hours in the classroom, touching the lives of more students. While crossing different countries these sentiments still stand, students may not always want to learn, and teaching can often be a thankless, difficult job, but there will always be at least one student who makes it all worth it**

Teaching English in another country is a unique and ever-changing experience, I remember being told from day 1 that there is no realway to prepare new teachers. For every incoming teacher, their city, school, co-workers and of course students are going to vary drastically. I strongly believe that it's a teachers attitude that is will determine how their career abroad unfolds. Coming in with a positive outlook, ready to take on any challenges or obstacles will help prepare them for success. Of course, there may be difficult moments full of challenging students, frustrating situations, and surprise schedule changes, ultimately making you want to throw in the towel, but the rewards are soon to follow. After spending close to two years in the classroom I'm happy to say that I've had a positive experience and wouldn't trade it for the world.

STEPHANIE TEACHER

I sometimes still wonder how I wound up in this role of teacher. I took the plunge to teach abroad in 2012, and four years later am confident that was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

What I've come to learn though is that I'm 100% in it for and because of the students. I'm now filled with lasting impressions, funny stories and so many amazing memories some of which I feel obligated to share.